MASONIC.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1685, 14 May 1884, Page 2

MASONIC.

CONSECRATION OF ST. MARK'S

LODGE,-CABTERTON.

The above interesting ceremony took place yesterday, the following District Grand Officers assisting at it:—Bro. 0. J.Toxwavd,D.G.H,; Bro.K, Wilson j Installing Master; Bro. C. P. Powles, D.G.S; Bro. Brandon, D.G.S. Wi; Bro.'Binns, D.G.J.W.; Bro. H. J. Williams, D.G.M.C.; Bro. Maunsell, D.G.S.D, j Bro. Simpson, D.G.S.B. j Bro. Brown, D.G.P.; Bro. Buck, D.G., Tyier. Bro. W. Rapp, of the Masterton Lodge, 1430, E.G., acted as organist. A large number of visiting brethren from Wellington and elsewhere were also present, including the following Past Masters:—Bros, Werry, Hammerton, Lindsay, Brunskill, Cobbetfc, Slate, Carley, Carr, Hooper, and Corbett.

The solemn consecration ceremony having been been very impressivoly performed, the Lodge was tyled and opened in the third degree, when the following officers were dulv installed: -W.M.,8r0, J.Smithj"s.W.,Bro, R. H. Elliotte j JiW., Bro. H. McMaster; Sec, Bro. G. Gardener; Treas., Bro. T. A. Weston; S.D., Bro, W. Scales;'J.D., Bro. R, Darby; 1.G., Bro. Acocke; Tyler, Bro T. Barnard.

After the installation ceremony, the brethren partook of a sumptuous banquet prepared by Bro. Host Elliotte, to whioh full justice was done, and on the table boing cleared,''the first toasts of the evening were given by the newly-installed W.M. A glee having been sung, the District Grand Officers '• were proposed, the name of Bro.Toxward being coupled with thotoast. :: :

After a song by. Bro, Lyon, Bro. Tpxward replied, expressing the pleasure it gave him 'to' bei : amongst tbem that ; .; v ,

Thetoast of " Bro. Kenneth Wilson, ourlriatalling Master" was then given in £- very hearty- and Bro.. JRapp followed with: " The lay of the last oyster." ';••;' ):{-:■.}■■ ■ Bro. Wilson to the toast expressed the : great gratification they had experienced in the cordial greeting they had received, and said it would give him pleasure at all times to do

anything he could for the newly opened lodge. ■■'.' ■'..■.'. •.

Bro. Griffin then gave the amusing song;'f He went to a party," which was followed by Bro. Toxward, who gave, the toast of the Worshipful Master and' Officers of St Mark's Lodge. He congratulated thomembera on obtaining such a Mater'as Bro. Smith, and would give them one wordof advice—in considering jn-oposala for initiation let them be sure to go in for quality and not for quantity. After a song from Bro.'Maginnity, the W.M. replied. It gave hini great pleasure see the District Grand Officers and so many brethern fr'onr other lodges present, He. trusted to do his best to make St Mark's Lodge a success in every respect, There.were six gentlemen already proposed for initiation. He would not dwell on the tenets of Freemasonry, it was not a friendly society, though its greatest aim was" charity." He hoped to give a good account of his lodge when his. term of Mastership expired. He pro-' posed the toast of the sister and visiting lodges, coupled with tho name of Bro. H. I Williams,.

Recitation, "The Life Boat," Bro, Koy worth. '.'

Bro. Williams, in reply,.said that was the third lodge he had assisted in opening, aud he trusted St Mark's would be as prosperous as.the others. From the officers installed ho should say its success, was assured/ He' thought the Grand Lodge Officers did not pay sufficient attention to country lodges, they should be represented at every installation ceremony. Songs by Bros. Grady, Treanor, Griffin, Lyon, and Bapp followed, and the proceedings closed with the " Tyler's Toast,"

The visitors from WelMngton left at 12 o'clock, their- train being in charge .of a Masonic guard, and driven by; a iMason, ... :